AUG 1 (PHEONIX) – Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Doug Coleman announced that on July 31, 2014, John Cary Dean, 28, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayesto 6.5 years in prison. Dean pleaded guilty on Jan. 23, 2014 to two counts of possession with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana, one count of manufacturing marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking offenses, all felonies.

On July 23, 2013, Dean was charged with numerous marijuana trafficking and weapons offenses, including being a felon in possession of firearms. The evidence showed that Dean was involved in the growing, packaging, and distributing of high-grade marijuana in Arizona and out-of-state. Dean possessed firearms for his protection while trafficking marijuana. Dean was first contacted by Arizona Department of Public Safety officers in February 2013 in Flagstaff with 25 pounds of high-grade marijuana and a loaded .357 handgun en route to Alabama to deliver the marijuana to customers. In May 2013, law enforcement arrested Dean and searched his residence. Officers found a well-outfitted marijuana grow operation, 32 pounds of marijuana packaged for sale, hydroponic growing supplies, $79,587 in cash, and eleven firearms including four handguns, five rifles, and two shotguns.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Flagstaff Post of Duty Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Jonell L. Lucca, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.